This page is being revised for the 2024 Synopsys Championship. Please check back periodically for updates. [2024-02-08]
The 2024 Synopsys Championship will be held on March 13-14, 2024.
Topics:
- Important Dates
- Announcements and Resources
- Planning & Preparation
- Application Process
- Project and Notebook
- Forms for Judging Folders
- Preparing for Fair Days
- Printed Materials for Check-In Day
- What to Expect on Check-In Day
- What to Expect on Judging Day
- Post Fair Events
| Student Clinic @ Santa Clara High School | September 28, 2023 at 4:30pm |
| Applications open for 2024 Synopsys Championship | October 2, 2023 |
| Teacher Workshop, Santa Clara, CA | October 25, 2023 at 4:30pm |
| Virtual Teacher Workshop | November 2, 2023 4:30-5:30pm |
| FINAL deadline for ALL projects that need SRC/IRB Pre-Approval | November 21, 2023 at 11:59pm |
| Category Judge Registration Opens | December 1, 2023 |
| FINAL deadline for all applications | January 19, 2024 |
| Volunteer application opens | February 1, 2024 |
| Deadline for organizations to register Sponsored Awards | February 20, 2024 |
| Last day to change title, category, field of study, or to withdraw a project* | February 23, 2024 |
| Students begin to upload abstracts to judging folders | February 25, 2024 |
| Deadline for students to upload abstracts; projects without abstracts will be withdrawn | March 5, 2024 at 11:59pm |
| Deadline for students to make changes to abstracts or add Forms 1C or 7, if required | March 8, 2024, at 11:59pm |
| Sponsored Awards & Grand Prize judges begin reviewing abstracts online | March 9, 2024 |
| Category Judges begin reviewing abstracts online | March 12, 2024 |
| Check-In Day (project boards) | March 13, 2024, Noon to 6pm |
| 2024 Synopsys Championship | March 14, 2024 |
| 2024 Synopsys Championship Awards Ceremony | April 7, 2024 1:00 - 5:30pm |
Announcements and Resources
New Field of Study
We are excited to introduce a new field for the competition for Middle Schoolers – ‘Food Science/Engineering’. Projects in the new field must not use humans or vertebrate animals. A list of suggested research areas is found on our Project Categories page.
And as a reminder for other fields of study, students may not do any health-related project that involves diagnosis or treatment without supervision of a doctor.
The Society for Science has partnered with Rise
Rise is a program that finds promising young people and provides them with opportunities that allow them to work together to serve others, by providing resources like including higher education scholarships and a global network. If you are interested in applying to this program, click HERE.
Rise could serve your vision to change the world — and they invite you to learn more about Rise by attending a 45-minute virtual information session, Tuesday December 5, 2023 3:00pm PST (6:00pm EST).
Virtual Teacher Workshop for 2023-2024: Thursday November 2nd 4:30-5:30pm
A second Teacher Workshop specifically geared to help teachers fill out the Synopsys Championship paperwork was be held virtually on Thursday, Nov 2nd from 4:30-5:30pm. Contact us for the zoom link.
It is strongly recommended for teachers who are new, relatively new or returning to the Championship attend the Teacher Workshop. The workshop will focus on how to fill out the forms correctly, especially projects that require SRC pre-approval, the importance of dates, and meeting Minimum Quality Requirements. It is strongly recommended that you take time to review the ISEF Rules and Guidelines and Contact us ahead of time with any questions you would like answered before joining the session.
Teacher Workshop for 2023-2024: Wednesday October 25th 4:30-5:30pm
A Teacher Workshop specifically geared to help teachers fill out the Synopsys Championship paperwork was held In-Person on Wednesday, Oct 25th from 4:30-5:30pm in Santa Clara, CA. Location details will be shared with the first 35 teachers who register for the workshop. Contact us to register.
Student Clinic for 2023-2024: Thursday September 28 4:30pm
A question and answer session was held on Thursday Sept 28 from 4:30-6pm at Santa Clara High School’s FabLab. It is recommended that students, new teachers, as well as sponsors who will supervise a PSP (privately-sponsored project), attend to ask questions and get answers. The slides will give you an overview of how to get started, do’s and don’ts and timelines for the 2024 Synopsys Championship. It is strongly recommended that you review the slides BEFORE coming to the Q n A. Please contact us if you have any questions. Please contact us if you have any questions.
The Synopsys Outreach Foundation has links to resources for students and parents as well as teachers.
The Society for Science has posted Research @ Home to help support student research outside the traditional laboratory environment.
Please watch our 2022 Synopsys Championship students get recognized by the City of San Jose at the 2022 STEM Recognition Event that took place June 6, 2023! Youtube link here.
STUDENT CLINICS & TEACHER WORKSHOPS
- Student Clinic 2023-2024 presentation – slides only
- Student Clinic 2022-2023 presentation: with narration or slides only
- Engineering_Workshop slide presentation
- 2017-Teacher Workshop presentation for teachers
Planning and Preparation
Check your eligibility for the Synopsys Championship and read the Rules and Registration page.
Explore the SCVSEFA web pages listed under Students in the navigation menu.
Read the ISEF Rules and Guidelines before you start your project.
- As an ISEF affiliated fair, the Synopsys Championship follows ISEF Rules and uses ISEF Forms.
- SCVSEFA web pages explain some requirements and forms that are specific to the Synopsys Championship.
Follow links on the Process page about finding a sponsor and choosing a project.
Important: Determine if your project needs SRC pre-approval. Deadlines and requirements are different for projects that DO and DON’T require it.
Application Process
The online application requires the student or team leader to complete several steps:
- register online,
- complete a set of digital forms,
- upload the forms to your forms folder,
- pay the application processing fee, which officially SUBMITS the application for review.
You are ready to register when you have the following:
- Title of project (120 characters or less)
- Project category and field of study
- Teacher/sponsor name and email address
- Contact information for student(s) and parent(s)
After the registration step, each student (or team leader) receives a Project Code and personalized instructions via a detailed Project Page.
Important: Judges at the fair are assigned by category and field of study. For more information about your choices, read the Project Categories page and the Category Judging FAQ.
Project and Notebook
Every student should Check Project Status to be sure their application has been Accepted. If you need SRC pre-approval, you must wait for approval before you begin work on your project.
If you have questions – especially about handling or disposing of hazardous devices or materials – send them to the SRC via the SCVSEFA contact page.
Questions about payments, vouchers or any application that doesn’t appear to have been Received may be sent to Fair Administration via the contact page.
Record your process and results in a notebook or logbook, which may be digital or on paper.
Upload Forms to Judging Folder
Upload these forms (and only these forms) to your Judging Folder:
- Project abstract (interactive PDF). Download, complete and save as a PDF. No videos or links to other documents.
- Form 1C: Regulated Research Institutional / Industrial Setting Form. High School students with a professional mentor (RRI projects) must upload Form 1C, which is completed after the research is done (if your project requires it).
- Form 7: Continuation Projects Form (if your project requires it)
Preparing for Fair Days
Review instructions for your trifold project display board:
Project Display Rules and Helpful Hints for Project Display
Parking and Student Drop Off
Parking may be tight in the convention center area. There is no free parking at South Hall.
Parking Map at the Fair
Students and their projects may be dropped off at the curb on Viola St. next to the sign STUDENT DROP OFF Wednesday, March 13, 2024, anytime between Noon and 6 PM. Come early to avoid crowds. However there is no waiting on Viola. If a parent wants to come into the Exhibit Hall to help a student, they’ll need to find a nearby public parking lot, and meet the student inside.
Parking and Student Pick Up
There will not be a public viewing period this year, so parents may pick up their students anytime between 5 and 6 PM. A few students may be asked to stay until 6:00 if judges need more time with their projects. Judges will try to notify those students before 4:30 PM. To reduce congestion, parents are requested to pick up middle school students between 5 and 5:30 and high school students between 5:30 and 6:00.
Pick up is on Viola Street, where there is no parking or waiting. Parents and students should communicate their whereabouts to help traffic keep moving on that narrow street.
Checklist of Printed Materials for Fair Check-In Day
- Project abstract (1 copy)
- Compliance-Checklist
- Project Notebook (optional for Middle School); hard copy, printed, or digital.
- Form 1B from your application
- Signed Ethics Statement
- Form 1C Regulated Research Institutional / Industrial Setting Form (if your project requires it)
- Form 7 Continuation Projects Form (if your project requires it)
- Form 4 Human Participants Form from your application (if your project requires it)
- Signed Human Informed Consent Forms (if your project requires them) (Fair Check-In Day ONLY)
- Forms 6A and 6B from your application (if your project requires it)
NOT REQUIRED: Forms 1, 1A, 2, 3, 5A, 5B and Research Plan
What to Expect on Check-In Day Wednesday, March 13
As of 2/8/24 we recommend all fair attendees wear a mask but it is not required. If you are feeling unwell, we request that you email us at fairmanager@science-fair.org and let us know you will not be attending. Covid precautions can be found on the Fair Week page.
If your parent, another parent, or a teacher is checking in your project, they will follow Steps 1-3. The only exception is Group Check-In for middle school teachers who bring 5 or more projects.
- Once inside South Hall pick up your badge, which you will also need on judging day.
- At the registration desk, your project display will be checked for compliance. Registration will be much smoother and FASTER if each project has all the forms on the Printed Materials Checklist (above).
- At the entrance to the project display area, pick up your project placard, and a volunteer will help you find your location on the display tables at South Hall. When you’re ready to leave, take home anything of value, especially a computer or tablet.
What to Expect on Judging Day, Thursday, March 14
- Wear your badge (received at Check-In Day).
- A mask is recommended but not required.
- Dress for success, neatly and professionally.
- Bring a water bottle (water fountains are available inside the South Hall) and a snack, but keep your project area tidy. Food is not available in South Hall except for judges.
- Arrive promptly but not too early. The doors open at 1:25 PM for grades 9-12 and at 1:55 PM for grades 6-8. Exception: students who need to complete compliance requirements must arrive 30 minutes early and check in at the Information Desk.
- There may be long periods between judges. Bring a book or something to do while sitting quietly. (note: WiFi slows down when South Hall is full of students.)
- Judges will probably come to speak with you one at a time. Some judges represent Category Awards (1st, 2nd, HM in scientific categories), while others are looking for Sponsored Award recipients, and all are important. Ask category judges (wearing blue ribbons) to add a green dot to your Compliance Checklist.
- You may need to stay by your project until 6:00 PM so that we can complete judging. Judges will try to notify you by 4:30 PM.
- Remove project boards between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM unless you are directed to stay for further judging.
Notice Regarding Fair Attendance
- Students must be present at their boards to be judged. For team projects, at least one team member must be present.
- Students should leave a conspicuous note at their board with an estimated return time when they take a restroom break.
- A few students may be asked to stay until 6:00pm if judges need more time with their projects.
There is NO PUBLIC viewing at the SYNOPSYS CHAMPIONSHIP on March 14
Post-Fair Events
The winners list will be posted on the web site 2-3 weeks after the fair.
Why aren’t the results posted immediately?
The Synopsys Championship Awards Ceremonies are scheduled for April 7, 2024 at Heritage Theatre in Campbell, CA (1 W Campbell Ave. Campbell, CA 95008). Doors open at 12:00pm, Theater opens at 12:30pm. Middle school award ceremony is from 1 – 3pm and high school award ceremony is from 3:30-5:30pm. For more details click here.
